Ben O’Connor convinced best is yet to come from Sheffield Steeldogs in Streaming Series

The 32-year-old GB international defenceman played an instrumental role in his new team’s 5-1 win over Swindon Wildcats in the second game of the pilot ‘Streaming Series’ at Ice Sheffield.

Along with fellow NIHL National side Milton Keynes Lightning, Sheffield and Swindon are hoping to prove that the sport can go on to enjoy some kind of season despite the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing social distancing measures that prevent crowds from returning to rinks.

Despite being forced to play behind-closed-doors, the team owners – and indeed players and coaches – are hoping enough people will literally buy in to watching the games online.

The opening weekend sales were encouraging with a combined 2,800 tickets sold to people willing to watch the live steam, hockey fans who have been starved of watching any competitive action in the UK since the sport – like all others – was forced to shut down in early March.

Milton Keynes host Swindon on Saturday night, hoping to avenge last weekend’s 8-6 defeat in Wiltshire, with the Steeldogs trying their luck on the road against the Wildcats 24 hours later.

And O’Connor, who left Sheffield Steelers in the summer after just under six seasons with the Elite League club, is confident hockey fans across the UK will have seen enough quality to convince them to log on for more action this weekend.

“It was great to get back out there on the ice, on the bench, just back playing and doing what we all love,” said O’Connor, whose previous competitive game was helping the Steelers lift the Challenge Cup against Cardiff Devils in South Wales on March 8.

“It’s been eight months now and to go out there and play like we did was just great.

“My legs, groin and lungs were screaming at me but, no matter what you do off the ice, it is a different kettle of fish when you are back in a game.

“But we’re just going to get better and better, our general fitness will come back, our on-ice fitness will come back and the product will get even better, the speed will increase week-in, week-out once teams and players get into the flow of things more.”

“As people could see at the weekend, the level is very good. We’ve got some good players and the EIHL players coming in to join the NIHL players means everyone raises their game because everyone wants to be the team to beat and I think we showed that.”

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